Research shows that about 3.54% of research papers get rejected just because of not properly identifying and resolving the research gap. In this blog, we will cover two of the most underrated research gaps such as the Practical Research Gap and the Knowledge Application Research Gap. Apart from knowing what those are, we will also know why we need to give importance to these research gaps and how to implement these in our research so that we can find the gaps and make the research better. So, let’s begin.

But before that, let us know the answers to some basic questions which will help us to understand this blog easier. The first one is how to write a research gap. For this, you have to review the existing literature, identify the research question, determine the scope of the research gap, explain the significance of the research gap and provide evidence to support it.

Now, the second question comes which is how to identify the research gap. This also incorporates conducting a thorough literature review, looking for inconsistencies or contradictions in the literature, identifying limitations in previous research, looking for unanswered research questions and considering new developments in the field.

Finally, as we all know there are several types of research gap in research such as practical research and knowledge application research gap. But only these two? What about theoretical, empirical, methodological and conceptual research gaps? Why haven’t I covered this in this blog? This you will know only after reading this blog. So, keep on reading.

A practical research gap refers to a problem or issue that exists in a particular field of study that needs to be addressed through research. This gap could be a lack of understanding of a particular phenomenon, a need for more empirical data to support a theoretical framework or a need for the development of new techniques or tools to solve a problem.

Identifying a practical research gap is an essential step in conducting research as it helps researchers to focus their efforts and resources on areas that are most in need of attention. It also helps to ensure that the research conducted is relevant and useful to practitioners and policymakers in the field.

I hope you have gathered an idea about the practical research gap but you may have a question in your mind: why use a practical research gap in your research? So, let us know the answer.

Using a practical research gap in your research helps to ensure that your work is relevant and meaningful to the field you are studying. By identifying a gap in the existing knowledge or practice, you can focus your research efforts on addressing this gap and contributing to the advancement of the field.

How can you identify the relevance of your research with the help of the Practical Research Gap? By identifying a practical research gap, you can ensure that your research is relevant to the needs of practitioners and policymakers in the field. You can identify the relevance by first defining the practical problem, conducting a literature review, identifying the research gap and determining the significance. Another benefit of using a practical research gap is it is helpful to solve real-world problems and improve outcomes for individuals or organizations in the field. So, it is two targets with one stone.

Filling a practical research gap often involves developing new methods, tools, or approaches, which can lead to innovation and new discoveries in the field. The new methods include data collection, analysis, ethical consideration, reproducibility, multidisciplinary approaches and dissemination and communication. The new approaches which can be developed using the practical research gap include participatory, mixed-methods, action, interdisciplinary, community-based and longitudinal research.

Can it influence future research and practice? By filling a practical research gap, you can make a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge in the field, and potentially influence future research and practice.

Nonetheless, there remains an issue. The problem is you may want to use the practical research gap in your research but you may not get the full benefit of using it. The reason is that there are several factors to be considered. So, let us know the factors to consider while using a practical research gap.
When using a practical research gap in your research.

There are several key factors that you should consider:

Feasibility: The research question should be feasible to answer within the scope of the study and the available resources.

Clarity: The research question should be clearly defined and specific to ensure that the study stays focused and is able to provide clear and meaningful results.

Methodology: The methodology used to answer the research question should be appropriate and rigorous, using reliable and valid data sources and analytical methods.

Ethics: The study should be conducted in an ethical manner, taking into account issues such as confidentiality, informed consent, and the potential impact of the research on participants and the broader community.

Impact: The research should have a clear impact on the field, providing new insights, tools, or approaches that can be used by practitioners and policymakers to address the practical research gap.
Now that we have gathered most of the knowledge about the practical research gap, let us know how to use the practical research gap in our PhD research.

To conduct a successful PhD research, it is crucial to identify the field of study and focus on a specific area of knowledge. A thorough review of existing literature is then necessary to identify gaps in knowledge, areas of disagreement, or practical issues that have not yet been addressed by previous research.

Based on the review of the literature, research questions should be formulated that address practical research gaps in the field of study. These questions must be specific, clear, and feasible to answer within the scope of the PhD research. A research plan should then be developed, outlining the methodology to be used to answer the research questions. The plan should be rigorous, taking into account issues such as sample size, data collection methods, and analytical techniques.

In conducting research using the methodology outlined in the research plan, data should be collected and analyzed to answer the research questions. Findings should be interpreted in the context of the practical research gap identified in the field of study. The implications of the findings for practitioners and policymakers should be discussed, and areas for further research should be identified.

Finally, the dissertation should be written, incorporating the research questions, research plan, and findings into a cohesive narrative that addresses the practical research gap identified in the field of study. By identifying and resolving research gaps, the research can be made perfect.

Still, there’s something left to discuss which is the problems associated with the practical research gap. So, let us know then.

The practical research gap refers to the gap between academic research and its application in real-world settings.

Some of the problems associated with this gap include:

Lack of relevance: Often, academic research focuses on topics that may not be relevant to the practical needs of industry or society. As a result, the research findings may not be applicable in real-world settings.

Limited accessibility: Academic research is often published in academic journals or presented at conferences, which may not be easily accessible to practitioners or the general public. This can limit the dissemination of research findings and prevent their application in real-world settings.

Time lag: The time it takes for academic research to be published and disseminated can create a time lag between when the research is conducted and when it can be applied in practical settings. This lag can lead to missed opportunities for innovation and improvement.

Lack of collaboration: Collaboration between researchers and practitioners can help bridge the gap between academic research and practical applications. However, there is often a need for more cooperation between these groups, which can limit the practical application of research findings.

Limited resources: Practical research often requires resources such as funding, equipment, and access to data. These resources may not be available to practitioners, limiting their ability to apply research findings in real-world settings.

Resistance to change: Even when research findings are relevant and accessible, there may be resistance to change among practitioners or industry leaders. This can limit the adoption of new practices or technologies based on research findings.

If you want to know anything else about the practical research gap, then you can let us know in the comments. So, let’s jump into the “knowledge application research gap”.

The knowledge application research gap refers to the difference or discrepancy between what is known through research and what is being applied in practice. It occurs when there is a failure to transfer or apply research findings to real-world situations or when research is not conducted on the specific practical problems that need to be addressed.

This gap can occur for several reasons, including lack of communication between researchers and practitioners, limited resources for implementation, insufficient training and support for practitioners, and differences in the context or setting in which research is conducted versus where it is applied.
Now, like the previous research gap, let us know why the knowledge application research gap portrays an essential role while conducting research.

How does the knowledge application research gap improve the effectiveness of interventions? By addressing the knowledge application research gap, researchers can identify the practical barriers and challenges that prevent the translation of research findings into effective interventions. This can help improve the implementation of interventions and lead to better outcomes for individuals and communities.

Researchers can identify areas where additional research is needed to address practical problems and improve the application of research findings in practice by understanding the knowledge application research gap. They can do it by reviewing the literature, consulting experts and  prioritizing the research needs.

Researchers can work collaboratively with practitioners to identify practical solutions and promote the implementation of evidence-based practices through the knowledge application research gap. However, this can be done by identifying the facilitators and barriers, engaging stakeholders, developing and testing interventions, using the framework of implementation science and disseminating the findings.

By focusing on the knowledge application research gap, researchers can ensure that their work has practical applications and can be used to improve people’s lives. This can help increase the impact and relevance of research, and promote the use of research for positive social change. It can be done with the help of the advancement of technology and innovation.

Researchers can identify practical solutions that can help address social inequalities and promote social justice with the help of the knowledge application research gap. This can be done by implementing evidence-based interventions, conducting research on the root causes of social inequalities, fostering community engagement, addressing implicit bias and discrimination, advocating for change and disseminating findings and promoting policy change.

Unlike the practical research gap. There are various factors to consider while using the knowledge application research gap in your PhD research. But what are those?

When using the knowledge application research gap in your PhD research, there are several factors to consider.

Here are some of the key factors:

Research question: Your research question should be focused on a practical problem or issue that has not been adequately addressed by existing research. You should consider how your research can contribute to bridging the knowledge application research gap in your chosen area.

Literature review: A thorough literature review is essential to identify the existing research on your topic and to identify gaps in the literature that your research can address. You should consider how your research can build upon existing knowledge and contribute to the knowledge application research gap.

Research design: Your research design should be tailored to address the research question and to fill the knowledge application research gap. You should consider using implementation science frameworks to guide your research design and to ensure that your research is relevant to the practical problem you are addressing.

Data collection and analysis: Your data collection and analysis methods should be appropriate for your research question and research design. You should consider how your data can be analyzed and reported in a way that is useful for practitioners and policymakers.

Stakeholder engagement: Stakeholder engagement is essential to ensure that your research is relevant to the practical problem you are addressing. You should consider how to engage with stakeholders, such as healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients, to ensure that your research is aligned with their needs and priorities.

Dissemination: Dissemination of your research findings is essential to promote the application of your research in practice. You should consider how to disseminate your findings to academic and non-academic audiences, including policymakers, practitioners, and patients.

Now, again we have come to the question of how to use the knowledge application research gap in your research.

Using the knowledge application research gap in your research involves identifying a practical problem or issue that has not been adequately addressed by existing research and developing a research plan that aims to fill the gap by generating evidence that can be applied in practice.

You need to first Identify a practical problem or issue that is important to stakeholders and that has not been adequately addressed by existing research. This could be a gap in knowledge, a need for improved interventions, or a need for more effective implementation strategies.

You also have to conduct a comprehensive literature review to identify existing research on the problem or issue you have identified. This will help you to understand what is already known about the problem, identify gaps in the literature, and develop a research question that addresses the knowledge application research gap.

It is very important to develop a research question that is focused on addressing the knowledge application research gap you have identified. The research question should be specific, feasible, and relevant to stakeholders.

Choose a research design that is appropriate for your research question and that can generate evidence that is applicable in practice. Consider using implementation science frameworks to guide your research design and ensure that your research is relevant to the practical problem you are addressing.

Engaging stakeholders is one of the most crucial aspects of all of them. Engage stakeholders throughout the research process to ensure that your research is aligned with their needs and priorities. Stakeholder engagement can help to ensure that your research is relevant, practical, and applicable in practice.

Finally, disseminate your research findings to academic and non-academic audiences, including policymakers, practitioners, and patients. Dissemination of findings is essential to promote the application of your research in practice and to ensure that your research has an impact on the problem or issue you have identified.

So, which are the problems associated with the knowledge application research gap.

There are several problems associated with the knowledge application research gap, including:

Lack of alignment between research and practice: One of the main problems with the knowledge application research gap is that there is often a lack of alignment between research and practice. Researchers may focus on questions that are not relevant to the practical needs of stakeholders or may conduct research that is not feasible or applicable in practice.

Limited generalizability of research findings: Another problem with the knowledge application research gap is that research findings may not be generalizable to different settings or populations. This can limit the applicability of research findings in practice and make it difficult for stakeholders to use research evidence to inform decision-making.

Insufficient engagement with stakeholders: Engagement with stakeholders, such as patients, practitioners, and policymakers, is critical for ensuring that research is relevant to their needs and priorities. However, there is often insufficient engagement with stakeholders in the research process, which can limit the applicability and impact of research findings.

Limited dissemination of research findings: Even when research findings are relevant and applicable to practice, there may be limited dissemination of the findings to stakeholders. This can limit the impact of research and make it difficult for stakeholders to use research evidence to inform decision-making.

Funding and resource constraints: Funding and resource constraints can limit the scope and impact of research, and may make it difficult for researchers to address the practical problems and issues that are most relevant to stakeholders.

Limited capacity for implementation: Even when research generates evidence-based interventions or strategies, there may be limited capacity for implementation in practice due to factors such as lack of resources, competing priorities, and organizational barriers.

Now, the final question for which you have been eagerly waiting is how to know what gap to identify and resolve for my research. Practical Research Gap or Knowledge Application Research Gap? Well, the answer is right below.

To identify the gap in your research, you need to consider the specific problem or issue you are trying to address and the practical implications of your research. Both the practical research gap and the knowledge application research gap can be used to identify research gaps, but they have different focuses and implications.

The practical research gap refers to the gap between what is known and what needs to be known to solve a practical problem or issue. This type of gap focuses on identifying gaps in knowledge or understanding related to a practical issue or problem. It is often used to identify research questions that are relevant to stakeholders and have the potential to improve practice.

On the other hand, the knowledge application research gap refers to the gap between what is known and what is implemented in practice. This type of gap focuses on identifying barriers to the implementation of evidence-based interventions or strategies in practice. It is often used to identify research questions that aim to improve the translation of research evidence into practice.

To determine which type of gap to focus on for your research, you need to consider the specific problem or issue you are trying to address and the practical implications of your research. If your research aims to generate new knowledge or understanding related to a practical problem or issue, then the practical research gap may be more relevant. If your research aims to improve the implementation of evidence-based interventions or strategies, then the knowledge application research gap may be more relevant.

Ultimately, the most important consideration is to ensure that your research is relevant to stakeholders, addresses a practical problem or issue, and has the potential to improve practice.

Apart from that, you may also have this question in your mind which is how to derive research gap in PhD research? The answer can be reviewing the literature, identifying the key themes, analysing the literature, establishing the research significance and refining the research questions.

The above answer can also help you to know how to derive research gap in doctoral study? So, with this, I am finishing this blog hoping that you have liked this one.

Have any questions in your mind? Then comment below because we are eagerly waiting for your comment. You can also comment on other questions which you have in your mind.